This article discusses the ways in which children's personalities are developed through learning academically and socially. It reviews situations from schools and the child's home and suggests ways in which the child is molded to eventually become the adult they are destined to be.
The role of adults in a child's most important developing years is priceless and irreplaceable. From an example in class, we learned that a child who does not receive any emotional interaction with a normal adult does not develop normally and will most likely have problems with any number of things such as; motor skills, speaking, having any type of relationship, or interacting with others. The article explains that the theory of schools being able to provide all of the socializing a child needs to become a productive adult is unrealistic. I agree with this statement for many reasons. One of which includes the fact that schools are very loosely governed by the state and federal powers. A standard curriculum exists somewhat but in the case of Texas in past years, prior to the 2002-2003 school year, the TAAS test was the standard for grading the school as well as the student. Therefore, the average classroom was filled with discussion, review, and practice TAAS tests the entire year. Schools feared the TAAS school-wide results that were mailed out to parents with the students" report card and students were sick and tired of reviewing for the TAAS test. Practice tests, given throughout the year in the same manner as the real test offered incentives for high scores and goodies like free t-shirts and pencils were given to students with phrases like "Beat the TAAS" and "Score as High as the Sky." Even though this test was obviously important to the schools that give it, it seems to be one of the only regularities in curriculum throughout the state. The irregularity is especially obvious in the higher grade levels.
